15 Journaling Quotes to Inspire Deeper Explorations + True Treasure

We store everything in our bodies—the gorgeous, the painful, the trauma, the divine. It’s all locked away in our cells. It’s there waiting to be set free and there are many ways to unleash what keeps tension and confusion alive inside. These journaling quotes speak to one powerful way of releasing what’s within so we can live with a greater understanding of who we are.

“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out, it’s the pebble in your shoe.” — Muhammad Ali

A load is made easier to carry if I adjust the way I’m carrying it, alter the way I’m walking. That’s something that writing in a journal helps me out with.

Keeping a journal, whatever kind of journal it happens to be that day, might look like furious scribbling to someone else, but to my heart, it looks like freedom—better the fury on paper where I can see it, listen to it, learn from it, than caged inside my heart.

When I look at what’s happened after a session with my journal, it sometimes makes me think of something the Mad Hatter said: “You’re mad, bonkers, completely off your head. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”

Kidding aside, writing down the swirling goings-on in my head illuminates the brilliance that’s often trapped inside the crazy thoughts, just underneath the surface, begging for air.

I sometimes wonder if I hadn’t written it down, if it would have ever come to light at all. How long would it take me to make certain discoveries about myself and life if they weren’t scribbled in between the lines of a notebook? At least much longer, I imagine.

In honor of the illumination that writing in a journal can provide, of the treasures that can be overturned, here are some of my favorite journaling quotes; I hope you enjoy them too. And I hope that you find even more wonder than what you at first set out looking for.

15 Journaling Quotes to Keep the Awe and Adventure Alive

1. “Writing is medicine. It is an appropriate antidote to injury. It is an appropriate companion for any difficult change.” — Julia Cameron

2. “Journaling is like whispering to one’s self and listening at the same time.” — Mina Murray, Dracula

3. “Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.” — Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

6. “Writing in a journal each day allows you to direct your focus to what you accomplished, what you’re grateful for and what you’re committed to doing better tomorrow. Thus, you more deeply enjoy your journey each day.” — Hal Elrod

7. “What a comfort is this journal. I tell myself to myself & throw the burden on my book & feel relieved.” – Anne Lister

Jennifer Williamson is the creator of Aim Happy, an online journal sharing healing messages to spark hope + joy. Rising from the ashes of losing her brother to suicide, she encourages daily loving dialogue through uplifting poetry, empowering affirmations, and down-to-earth wisdom. Every composition is an offering of light and an invitation to shine. She lives in Central Massachusetts.

Receive all the love you can.

Enjoy weekday blog posts in your inbox, excerpts from this week's posts on Saturday mornings, or GOOD News Letters, sent with positive stories and a lot of love on the first Sunday of the month. (More about these letters here.)

First nameLast nameBest email address...

Weekday posts

Weekly posts

Monthly Good News

I only recommend products and brands I believe in, but want you to know that when I make a recommendation, I may receive a small percentage of your purchase at no extra cost to you. This helps supportAim Happy by offsetting a fraction of what it takes to maintain the site, and it’s deeply appreciated.

Donating = loving

I’m passionate about creating healing messages that spark hope + joy—like the one you just read. I pour my whole heart into this, which means it takes me hundreds of hours and dollars each month to sustain Aim Happy. If you’re nourished and inspired by this work, please consider making a donation. From the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU.

Comments

I ventured into journaling at the suggestion of my therapist shortly after my princess bride, Karen, passed away this past May.

It was very awkward at first, but I persisted. Everything changed when my therapist suggested that rather than try to journal to myself, that I write specifically to Karen. Up until that point, I was completely overwhelmed by the fact that she was no longer physically present in our every day lives.

As I began writing to her though, I began to sense her spiritual presence more and more, not just while I was writing to her, but at anytime during the day or night.

A huge healing moment happened one night, when (at the request of my therapist once again) I picked up my journal and pen and asked Karen to write a letter to “me”!!!

It felt awkward at first holding my pen in one hand and my journal in the other until I place the pen to paper. Tears and Words began flowing out. It was as if I was just holding the pen and she was holding my hand guiding it around the page.

It turned out to be a beautiful love letter and I will cherish it forever.

Grieving is HARD. Journaling has certainly made it “less hard”. I am curious to see how my journaling will evolve as I continue to heal and change.

Louis, this is incredible and gave me the chills. What a profound experience you had and I hope that you continue to have. It’s so difficult, to say the very least, to show up and take on healing at such a deep level as you have. I am in awe of your courage. Journaling has made the difficult journey a little more “grace-filled” for me too. I send my love to you and to Karen. And a big, warm hug.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

Hi, friend. I'm Jen, and writing in the name of love and possibility is my favorite. Healing energy is mixed into every message so it's like honey for the heart. Enjoy.

Donating = loving

I love creating free healing content that sparks hope + joy. While I treasure this work, it takes me hundreds of hours and dollars each month to sustain Aim Happy. If you find value in what I do, please consider showing your support with a donation.